Sarah Longwell, a seasoned Republican strategist, once harbored hope for her party’s future. In 2016, she successfully led the Log Cabin Republicans to refrain from endorsing Donald Trump, despite pressure from within the GOP. Concerns about Trump’s stance on LGBTQ rights led to the decision to withhold endorsement.
However, by the time Trump sought re-election, Longwell and other like-minded Republicans couldn’t halt the tide. Despite Trump’s record of indifference and hostility towards marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ community, the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed him for a second term.
This move prompted Longwell and others to depart from the organization, with Longwell becoming a prominent figure among the NeverTrump movement.
As Super Tuesday approached, Longwell’s optimism waned. She expressed doubt that the Republican Party would return to its previous state, lamenting the party’s ongoing embrace of Trumpism.
Nikki Haley, once seen as a potential savior by NeverTrumpers, saw her own prospects diminish as Trump’s dominance within the GOP remained unchallenged. With Haley’s campaign fading and Trump’s grip on the party tightening, critics like Longwell faced increasing pressure to either support Trump or be considered outside the party fold.
For Longwell, the choice was clear: she would support anyone but Trump, even if it meant voting for a Democrat like Joe Biden. She emphasized that for her and others in the NeverTrump camp, the term “never” truly meant never supporting Trump.
Many Republicans find themselves grappling with a similar dilemma. While some may hesitate to support a Democrat, the prospect of backing Trump is increasingly untenable for those committed to traditional conservative principles.
Haley’s supporters, despite their dwindling numbers, still hold out hope for her to challenge Trump’s dominance. However, the likelihood of her success is slim, given the party’s overwhelming support for Trump.
Trump’s strategy of prioritizing party loyalty over coalition building has left little room for dissent within the GOP. Even those who once supported Haley may refuse to back Trump, potentially leading to electoral consequences for the party.
Longwell stressed the importance of offering disaffected Republicans an acceptable alternative to Trump, highlighting the potential impact of Haley’s decisions on the party’s future.
Despite disillusionment with the current state of the GOP, Longwell remains hopeful for a return to a more inclusive and principled Republican Party. However, she acknowledges that such a transformation will take time and effort to achieve.
